Kinetic Friction by Acceleration

Objectives

• Use a Motion Detector to determine the coefficient of kinetic friction
• Determine if the coefficient of kinetic friction depends on weight.
• Graphs & Tables: manually recording graphs, tabulating data values, graphing results

Introduction

With a box sliding, friction will act to slow it to a stop. The friction acting on the box while it is moving is called kinetic friction. Kinetic friction is sometimes referred to as sliding friction. Friction depend on the surfaces of the box and the floor, and on how hard the box and floor are pressed together. Kinetic friction is modelled with F_kinetic = µ_kN  where µ_k  is the coefficient of kinetic friction.

In this experiment, you will use a Motion Detector to analyze the kinetic friction acting on a sliding block.

This experiment will be done without the resource of a computer printer. Students will be expected to sketch graphs obtained into their notes along with recording relevant values. Tables for data and analysis are also to be setup manually in students notes.

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